Tom Hardy turns 40: All the times he's been adorable with puppies

There is a lot to love about the talented and handsome Tom Hardy, but probably the most admirable is the British actor’s affection for dogs. So we can’t think of a better way to honor the Mad Max star as he turns 40 on Sept. 15 than to look at photos of him with some puppies that are just as adorable as he is sexy. Enjoy!

Tom Hardy

Hardy neatly summed up his outlook on dogs in a 2012 interview: “I don’t have any friends,” he told ScreenCrave. “So I like to keep [to] myself. I have a dog and a son. A dog couldn’t do anything to upset me, you know, and neither could my son.” (Photo: Tom Hardy via Facebook)

Tom Hardy

Hardy got along so well with the dogs who appeared alongside him in 2014’s The Drop that he sometimes took them home with him … to cuddle. (Photo: Everett Collection)

Tom Hardy

The actor is a big fan of pit bulls, in particular — so much so that he has a tattoo of one on his back! This guy really loves dogs. (Photo: Tom Hardy via Facebook)

Tom Hardy

While Hardy adores all dogs, he had a special bond with his late dog Woody, a Labrador mix he rescued off a highway in Georgia, while he was filming Lawless, and went on to take along with him on various film sets, including 2015’s Legend. (Photo: AKM-GSI)

As much time as Tom spends with canines offscreen, he spends a lot of time in movies with them too. He cuddled up to this one in 2012’s Lawless, even as he and one of his human co-stars, Shia LaBeouf, didn’t quite hit it off. (Photo: Tom Hardy via Facebook)

Tom Hardy

“I love dogs, and I see myself as a dog inside in many ways — that’s the way I am,” Hardy explained to Vulture in September 2014. “It’s like, I bark a lot, and I can bite, but I don’t really. You know, they’ve got an energy. I just have an affinity with a dog. I’m very, very loyal, but, you know, I will piss on the carpet. [Laughs.] I will chew your sneakers! And sometimes I look like I’m going to bite, but actually, if you know me, I’m not like that.” (Photo: Tom Hardy via Facebook)

Tom Hardy

Sadly, Hardy announced in June 2017 that Woody had died. “I love you beyond words,” he wrote in a heartfelt remembrance to his pet. “To the moon and back again and again to Infinity and beyond. Run with Max now and the Angels. I will see you when I get there. With all of me I love you. Always Thank you for Your love beautiful boy.” Need a tissue? (Photo: Tom Hardy via Facebook)

Tom Hardy

In case there was any doubt, Hardy made his position on dogs clear in another with Vulture from September 2015: “I love dogs. Like, A LOT. They’re my favorite animal. Ever.” End of story. (Photo: Tom Hardy via Facebook)

Tom Hardy

Dogs are never far from the British actor, so, of course, a pup was by his side as he celebrated the holidays in 2016. (Photo: Tom Hardy via Facebook)

You’re welcome for including this adorable snapshot of Hardy and his pup just chilling. (Photo: Tom Hardy via Facebook)

Tom Hardy

At the NYC premiere of The Drop, Hardy was more than happy (despite the expression) to reunite with Zora, a dog who starred alongside him in the film. Zora was thrilled! (Photo: Jenny Anderson/WireImage)

The future star of Mad Max once had a dog named after the character. He’s shared a circa 2006 throwback pic of himself hugging up to the buddy he used to insist on bringing along to acting class. (Photo: Tom Hardy via Facebook)

Tom Hardy

The Peaky Blinders actor is always willing to make sacrifices to help animal charities. Posing for a photograph with these two cuties, at the BGC Annual Global Charity Day in London in support of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, was light-lifting. (Photo by Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images)

Tom Hardy

Most stars don’t bring their dogs to their movie premieres, but wouldn’t it be awesome if they did? Hardy attempted to start a trend at Legend‘s 2015 debut in London. (Photo: Tom Hardy via Facebook)